Children attend prayer gathering at courthouse

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, May 3, 2007

A noon prayer gathering of about 100 people Thursday on the Midland County Courthouse steps included a healthy mix of children.

Among the crowd were about 20 fourth- and fifth-graders from St. John's Lutheran School.

"We just thought it was important to witness this and it's a wonderful way for them to share their faith," said fourth grade teacher Jessica Strefling.

Some of the St. John's children were eager to share their thoughts.

"I think it's really good that we're by the courthouse doing it here," said Frankie Yanez, 12, of the prayer time. "We're showing other people because a lot of people go by the courthouse and maybe they'll stop by and pray."

"It's cool," said Ashleigh Reynolds, 11. "We're praising God, and praising God is what we're supposed to do. He told us to pray and to tell other people about God."

The group sang "America the Beautiful" and a contemporary worship song called "Majesty." Christian leaders had been chosen ahead of time to lead short prayers for young people, families, the State of Michigan and other concerns.

Kelly Dvorak, 10, thought praying in public was "pretty neat."

"People walk by and they see and maybe they'll listen a little and maybe they'll come to Jesus," Dvorak said.